Skill Up For Manufacturing
SKILL UP FOR MANUFACTURING
2026 DATES – CLASS SCHEDULE & LOCATIONS
We are accepting applications for the upcoming sessions:
DATES – CLASS SCHEDULE & LOCATIONS
We are accepting applications for our upcoming sessions:
SKILL UP FOR MANUFACTURING PLUS PLASTICS
CT STATE – Middlesex/Vinal Technical H.S., Middletown, CT
July 27th – September 11th , 2026
Monday-Friday, 3 PM – 9 PM
Includes two weeks of plastics manufacturing
CT STATE – Gateway CC, New Haven, CT &
Eli Whitney Technical High School, Hamden, CT
September 19 – October 23, 2026
Monday-Friday, 3 PM – 9 PM
Applicants must be at least 18 years old, have a high school diploma or GED, be a Connecticut resident, and be able to work in the United States.
Click “APPLY NOW ” in the blue box below. You will receive an email from staff with the next steps.
MANUFACTURING IS ESSENTIAL
WATCH THIS VIDEO >> to see an overview of manufacturing in Connecticut, job opportunities, and skills required.
Skill Up includes:
- Free 5-Week hybrid classroom & hands-on training
- Cash stipend during training
- Minimum 175 pre-apprenticeship hours
- Six Sigma certification
- OSHA 10 safety card
- Job development
JOBS WAITING TO BE FILLED
Employers helped design the Skill Up program. They visit the class and attend special events to meet trainees and discuss job opportunities. Check out the EMPLOYER SITE >> to see all the companies that have already hired Skill Up grads.
See also: List of Manufacturing Occupations
MEET SKILL UP STUDENTS!
GET PREPARED
Once you apply, you’ll get an email in 24-48 hours inviting you to schedule an assessment covering shop math, ruler reading, and spatial reasoning. Use these resources to prepare. BOOT CAMP offered to help applicants score higher.
FOLLOW THESE STEPS TO MANUFACTURE YOUR FUTURE
FILL OUT APPLICATION
PREP & PASS SKILLS ASSESSMENT
SUBMIT RESUME & SCHEDULE SKILL UP INTERVIEW
COMPLETE ENROLLMENT
Staff will provide a list of required documentation.
EXPLORE JOBS & ADVANCEMENT POTENTIAL
ATTEND TRAINING
Hybrid with colleges and technical high school sites
Hassan Touil
Assembler
After completing his American GED credential, passing an English test, and demonstrating math proficiency, Hassan completed Skill Up training in the summer of 2019 and now works for the Roto Frank Company. He also received forklift training through his employer.
Aziz Goktas
Press Assistant
One of the first to graduate from the 5-Week Intro class, Aziz used his past knowledge of architecture & engineering to excel in training and joined Brook & Whittle LTD where he is earning a steady income.
Malathi Rayakota
Cleanroom Assembler
Malathi moved to Connecticut, but was only getting unskilled temp jobs. She wanted a pathway to a career. Skill Up gave her the fundamental background needed to enter the manufacturing industry. She is now employed full-time at ASML.
QUESTIONS?
Jean Arnold-Barry, Skill Up Coordinator
jarnold-barry@workforcealliance.biz
(203) 867-4030 x 227
In Eastern CT: Contact Jennifer Proulx, Career & Development Specialist, Jennifer.proulx@ct.gov, for information on Skill Up or the Eastern Manufacturing Pipeline Initiative.
CLICK BELOW TO VISIT THE EASTERN CT MANUFACTURING PIPELINE SITE AND APPLICATION PORTAL:
SKILL UP IN THE NEWS:
- RECORD-JOURNAL: STATE BOOSTS MANUFACTURING PIPELINE TRAINING PROGRAM
- FOX 61: WORKINCT #CTCONFIDENT: ‘SKILL UP FOR MANUFACTURING’ LOOKS TO QUICKLY TRAIN PEOPLE FOR JOBS IN MANUFACTURING
- HARTFORD COURANT OP-ED: THE STATE’S MANUFACTURING FUTURE NEEDS THIS BOOST
- STAN SIMPSON SHOW, FOX 61: BUILDING A JOBS PIPELINE IN CONNECTICUT
- WNPR: NEW PROGRAM OFFERS CONNECTICUT WORKERS JOB OPPORTUNITIES IN MANUFACTURING
- WNHH COMMUNITY RADIO LOVE BABZ LOVE TALK WITH BABZ RAWLINS
- HARTFORD BUSINESS JOURNAL: BUILDING A MANUFACTURING WORKFORCE FROM THE GROUND UP
- HEARST MEDIA: NEW TRAINING PROGRAM AIMS TO MATCH CT MANUFACTURERS WITH WORKERS
- RECORD-JOURNAL: WORKFORCE ALLIANCE MANUFACTURING TRAINING PROGRAM
Skill Up is a program of Workforce Alliance and is funded through the Apprenticeship CT Initiative. Equal Opportunity Program. Auxiliary aids and accommodations available for persons with disabilities upon request. Contact Mark Cherry at (203) 624-1493 x 240 or macherry@workforcealliance.biz.
English 
Spanish